Eddy current flaw detection probe and eddy current flaw inspection apparatus

ABSTRACT

The eddy current flaw detection probe ( 100 ) includes a first yoke ( 1 ), a second yoke ( 2 ), a first permanent magnet ( 3 ), a second permanent magnet ( 4 ), a sensing coil ( 6 ). The second yoke ( 2 ) is inserted in a freely insertable and extractable manner along an inner peripheral surface of the first yoke ( 1 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an eddy current flaw detection probe and an eddy current flaw inspection apparatus having the said eddy current flaw detection probe.

BACKGROUND ART

An eddy current flaw detection is known as one of inspection methods for inspecting flaws in metallic materials. In flaw inspection for non-magnetic pipes composed of non-magnetic materials such as austenitic stainless steels, titanium, and copper alloys, eddy current flaw detection using an eddy current flaw detection probe of insertion type is widely adopted.

When flaw inspection for a magnetic pipe composed of a magnetic material such as a carbon steel, a ferritic stainless steel, and a duplex stainless steel containing two phases of a ferrite phase and an austenite phase is conducted by means of the eddy current flaw detection probe, used widely for inspection of non-magnetic pipes, accurate flaw detection is not achieved because an eddy current flows merely on the surface of the magnetic pipe and because a noise caused by local fluctuation in the magnetic permeability affects adversely the flaw detection performance.

Non-patent Document 1 discloses an eddy current flaw detection probe used for a flaw inspection of a magnetic pipe composed of a magnetic material of duplex stainless steel. In the eddy current flaw detection probe disclosed in Non-patent Document 1, a sensing coil is arranged around a center part of a pillar-shaped yoke and then permanent magnets whose magnetization directions are in the radial direction of the yoke and whose magnetic poles on the yoke side are different from each other are arranged around the yoke on both sides of the sensing coil.

Non-destructive Inspection, Volume 42, No. 9, 1993 (Heisei 5), pp. 520 to 526

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

In such an eddy current flaw detection probe, for the purpose of achieving accurate flaw inspection, the sizes of the permanent magnets, the yokes, and the like, the arrangement positions of the permanent magnets, and the like are designed with taking into consideration permeabilities, thicknesses, and the like of magnetic pipes as an inspection target.

In magnetic pipes, variations in magnetic permeability and thickness are generally caused by differences in the manufacturing process and the like. Then, even in a case of magnetic pipes having the same inner diameter as each other, when the specification of magnetic permeability or thickness are different from each other, the optimal specification for the eddy current flaw detection probe becomes different from each other. Thus, when the above-mentioned variation occurs in the magnetic pipes, the design of the eddy current flaw detection probe concerning such as the sizes of the permanent magnets, the yokes and the like, or the arrangement positions of the permanent magnets and the like, should be changed for each case.

An object of the present invention is to provide: an eddy current flaw detection probe provided with a mechanism that the magnetic flux density of a magnetic pipe as an inspection target can be varied by means of adjusting magnetizing force of the current flaw detection probe without requiring design changes in the sizes of the permanent magnets, the yokes and the like, or in the arrangement positions of the permanent magnets; and an eddy current flaw inspection apparatus having this eddy current flaw detection probe.

Means for Solving the Problem

The present invention is an eddy current flaw detection probe comprising:

a first yoke having a hollow-cylindrical shape and composed of a magnetic material;

a second yoke having a hollow-cylindrical or pillar shape, composed of a magnetic material, and inserted in a freely insertable and extractable manner along an inner peripheral surface of the first yoke;

a first permanent magnet mounted along an outer peripheral surface of one end part of the axis direction of the first yoke and polarized in a radial direction of the first yoke;

a second permanent magnet mounted along an outer peripheral surface of the other end part of the axis direction of the first yoke, polarized in a radial direction of the first yoke, and magnetized such that the magnetic poles are different from those of the first permanent magnet; and

a sensing coil wound along the outer peripheral surface in a center part of the axis direction of the first yoke and detecting a change in a magnetic flux generated by the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet.

Further, the eddy current flaw detection probe according to the present invention further comprises a magnetic annular body having an annular shape, composed of a magnetic material, and mounted in a freely attachable and detachable manner along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke.

Further, the present invention is an eddy current flaw inspection apparatus for inspecting a flaw in a pipe composed of a magnetic material, comprising:

the above-mentioned eddy current flaw detection probe moved along the inner peripheral surface of the pipe;

an AC power supply for applying an alternating voltage onto the sensing coil of the eddy current flaw detection probe;

signal output means for outputting as an electric signal a voltage change induced on the sensing coil when the alternating voltage is applied by the AC power supply; and

flaw judging means for judging the presence or absence of a flaw in the pipe on the basis of the electric signal outputted from the signal output means.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, the eddy current flaw detection probe includes the second yoke having a hollow-cylindrical or pillar shape and inserted in a freely insertable and extractable manner along the inner peripheral surface of the first yoke formed in a hollow-cylindrical shape. Thus, when the second yoke is arranged in an inserted manner along the inner peripheral surface of the first yoke, the magnetic flux density is adjusted to a higher value of a magnetic pipe as an inspection target in comparison with a case of no second yoke inserted. As such, without requiring a design change concerning the sizes of the first and the second permanent magnets, the first yoke, and the like, or the arrangement positions of the first and the second permanent magnets, the magnetizing force can be adjusted by inserting or extracting the second yoke into or from the first yoke, resulting in changing the magnetic flux density in the magnetic pipe.

Further, according to the present invention, it is preferable that the eddy current flaw detection probe may further include a magnetic annular body having an annular shape and mounted in a freely attachable and detachable manner along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke. When the magnetic annular body is mounted on the first yoke, the magnetic flux generated by the first and the second permanent magnets flows through the magnetic annular body, resulting in increasing a magnetic flux leakage. That is, when the magnetic annular body is mounted along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke, the magnetic flux density of a magnetic pipe as an inspection target is adjusted to a lower value in comparison with a case of no magnetic annular body mounted. As such, without requiring a design change concerning the sizes of the first and the second permanent magnets, the first yoke, and the like, or the arrangement positions of the first and the second permanent magnets, the magnetizing force can be adjusted by attaching or detaching the magnetic annular body to or from the first yoke, resulting in changing the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe.

Further, according to the present invention, since the eddy current flaw inspection apparatus has the eddy current flaw detection probe according to the present invention, even for magnetic pipes of mutually different specifications in the magnetic permeability or the thickness, flaw inspection is achieved by using the eddy current flaw detection probe with optimized specification for the specification of the magnetic pipe. Thus, the eddy current flaw inspection apparatus according to the present invention provide accurate flaw inspection of a magnetic pipe as an inspection target.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an eddy current flaw detection probe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a partially sectional exploded side view of the configuration of an eddy current flaw detection probe.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing variation in the magnetic flux density and the specific magnetic permeability of magnetic pipes.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relation between the inner diameter of a second yoke and the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relation between the length in the axis direction of a magnetic annular body and the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an eddy current flaw inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCES

-   -   1 First yoke     -   2 Second yoke     -   3 First permanent magnet     -   4 Second permanent magnet     -   5 Third permanent magnet     -   6 Sensing coil     -   7 Excitation coil     -   8 Magnetic annular body     -   100 Eddy current flaw detection probe     -   200 Eddy current flaw inspection apparatus     -   300 Magnetic pipe

Description of the Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an eddy current flaw detection probe 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, (a) shows a side view and (b) shows a partially sectional side view. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a partially sectional exploded side view of the configuration of the eddy current flaw detection probe 100.

The eddy current flaw detection probe 100 according to the present embodiment is a probe to be used for inspecting flaws in the magnetic pipe in a manner of moving along the inner peripheral surface of a pipe composed of a magnetic material (referred to as a “magnetic pipe”, hereinafter). Examples of magnetic pipes as inspection targets include pipes composed of magnetic materials such as carbon steels, ferritic stainless steels, duplex stainless steels containing two phases of a ferrite phase and an austenite phase.

The eddy current flaw detection probe 100 includes a first yoke 1, a second yoke 2, a first permanent magnet 3, a second permanent magnet 4, a third permanent magnet 5, a sensing coil 6, an excitation coil 7, magnetic annular bodies 8, spacers 9, a first lid 10, and a second lid 11.

The first yoke 1 is a hollow-cylindrical yoke composed of a magnetic material. Examples of magnetic materials for the first yoke 1 include high-magnetic permeability metals such as a carbon steel and a low-alloy steel. While the size of the first yoke 1 is not limited, for example, in the case of specification of a carbon steel pipe for boilers and heat exchangers (referred to as an “STB pipe”, hereinafter) widely employed in chemical plants, the length in the axis direction is 50 to 200 mm, the outer diameter is 1.7 to 38.4 mm, and the thickness is 0.5 to 5.0 mm.

The second yoke 2 has a hollow-cylindrical or pillar shape and is composed of a magnetic material and inserted in a freely insertable and extractable manner along the inner peripheral surface of the first yoke 1. The second yoke 2 is used for adjusting the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe as an inspection target. When the second yoke 2 is inserted along the inner peripheral surface of the first yoke 1, the axis of the first yoke 1 and the axis of the second yoke 2 align with each other.

Examples of magnetic materials for the second yoke 2 include high-magnetic permeability metals such as a carbon steel and a low-alloy steel. While the size of the second yoke 2 is not limited, for example, in the case of specification of an STB pipe widely employed in chemical plants, the length in the axis direction is 50 to 200 mm, the outer diameter is 1.2 to 37.9 mm, and the thickness or the pillar diameter is 0.5 to 37.9 mm.

The first permanent magnet 3 is mounted along the outer peripheral surface of one end part of the axis direction of the first yoke 1. In the present embodiment, the first permanent magnet 3 is formed in a single hollow cylinder shape or in a hollow-cylindrical shape constructed by combining a plurality of permanent magnets divided in the circumferential direction, and is mounted on the first yoke 1 in such orientation that the axis of the first permanent magnet 3 aligns with the axis of the first yoke 1. The first permanent magnet 3 is polarized in the radial direction of the first yoke 1 and magnetized in such orientation that the magnetic pole on the side of the first yoke 1 is of an S-pole and the magnetic pole on the opposite side is of an N-pole in the present embodiment. For example, the first permanent magnet 3 is composed of a high-performance permanent magnet such as a neodymium magnet.

While the size of the first permanent magnet 3 formed in the shape of a single hollow cylinder or alternatively in a hollow-cylindrical shape constructed by combining a plurality of permanent magnets divided in the circumferential direction is not limited, for example, in the case of specification of an STB pipe widely employed in chemical plants, the length L1 in the axis direction is 5.0 to 50.0 mm, the inner diameter is 1.7 to 38.4 mm, and the thickness is 0.5 to 5.0 mm.

The second permanent magnet 4 is mounted along the outer peripheral surface of the other end part of the axis direction of the first yoke 1. In the present embodiment, the second permanent magnet 4 is formed in a single hollow cylinder shape or in a hollow-cylindrical shape constructed by combining a plurality of permanent magnets divided in the circumferential direction and is mounted on the first yoke 1 in such orientation that the axis of the second permanent magnet 4 aligns with the axis of the first yoke 1. The second permanent magnet 4 is polarized in the radial direction of the first yoke 1 and magnetized such that the magnetic poles are different from those of the first permanent magnet 3. In the present embodiment, the second permanent magnet 4 is magnetized in such orientation that the magnetic pole on the side of first yoke 1 is of an N-pole and the magnetic pole on the opposite side is of an S-pole. For example, the second permanent magnet 4 is composed of a high-performance permanent magnet such as a neodymium magnet.

While the size of the second permanent magnet 4 formed in a single hollow cylinder shape or in a hollow-cylindrical shape constructed by combining a plurality of permanent magnets divided in the circumferential direction is not limited, the preferable size of the second permanent magnet 4 is the same as the size of the first permanent magnet 3. For example, in the case of specification of an STB pipe widely employed in chemical plants, the length L2 in the axis direction is 5.0 to 50.0 mm, the inner diameter is 1.7 to 38.4 mm, and the thickness is 0.5 to 5.0 mm.

The first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 4 are mounted along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke 1 such as to be mutually in the same distance from the center of the first yoke 1 in the axis direction of the first yoke 1.

The third permanent magnet 5 may be mounted along the outer peripheral surface of the center part of the axis direction of the first yoke 1. In the present embodiment, for example, the third permanent magnet 5 is formed in a hollow-cylindrical shape and mounted on the first yoke 1 in such orientation that the axis of the third permanent magnet 5 aligns with the axis of the first yoke 1. The third permanent magnet 5 is polarized in the axis direction of the first yoke 1 and magnetized in such orientation that the magnetic pole on the side of the first permanent magnet is of an N-pole and the magnetic pole on the second permanent magnet 4 side is of an S-pole in the present embodiment. For example, the third permanent magnet 5 is composed of a high-performance permanent magnet such as a neodymium magnet.

When the third permanent magnet 5 is mounted in the center part of the axis direction of the first yoke 1, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field generated by the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 4 may be increased. When the third permanent magnet 5 is magnetized in such orientation that the magnetic pole on the side of the first permanent magnet 3 is of an N-pole and the magnetic pole on the second permanent magnet 4 side is of an S-pole, the magnetic flux density may be increased and the magnetic flux distribution may become uniform.

While the size of the third permanent magnet 5 formed in a hollow-cylindrical shape is not limited, for example, in the case of specification of an STB pipe widely employed in chemical plants, the length in the axis direction is 5.0 to 25.0 mm, the inner diameter is 1.7 to 38.4 mm and the thickness is 0.5 to 5.0 mm.

The sensing coil 6 is wound along the outer peripheral surface in the center part of the axis direction of the first yoke 1. In the present embodiment, when the third permanent magnet 5 is mounted in the center part of the axis direction of the first yoke 1, the sensing coil 6 may be wound along the outer peripheral surface of the third permanent magnet 5. The sensing coil 6 detects a change in the magnetic flux generated by the first permanent magnet 3, the second permanent magnet 4, and optionally the third permanent magnet 5.

While the sensing coil 6 is not limited to particular one, for example, in the case of specification of an STB pipe widely employed in chemical plants, a coil which is employed is made from a copper wire of diameter of 0.02 to 1.0 mm and its number of turns is 10 to 200.

The excitation coil 7 may be wound along the outer peripheral surface of the third permanent magnet 5, in a manner of pinching the sensing coil 6. The function of the excitation coil 7 is to excite an eddy current flowing in the opposite direction to the eddy current excited by the sensing coil 6. When the excitation coil 7 arranged on the outer side of the sensing coil 6 may excite an eddy current in the opposite direction, these eddy currents may cancel with each other, resulting in suppressing an excessive electric conduction area of the eddy current excited by the sensing coil 6.

While the excitation coil 7 is not limited to particular one, for example, in the case of specification of an STB pipe widely employed in chemical plants, a preferable coil is made from a copper wire of diameter of 0.02 to 1.0 mm and its number of turns is 10 to 200.

The magnetic annular bodies 8 are composed of a magnetic material and formed in an annular shape. The magnetic annular bodies 8 are optionally mounted in a freely attachable and detachable manner along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke 1. The magnetic annular bodies 8 may be used for adjusting the magnetic flux density to a lower value in the magnetic pipe as an inspection target.

Examples of magnetic materials for the magnetic annular bodies 8 include high-magnetic permeability metals such as a carbon steel and a low-alloy steel.

While the size of the magnetic annular bodies 8 is not limited, for example, in the case of specification of an STB pipe widely employed in chemical plants, the length L3 in the axis direction is 0.5 to 50 mm, the inner diameter is 1.7 to 38.4 mm, and the thickness is 0.5 to 5.0 mm.

The eddy current flaw detection probe 100 according to the present embodiment is, for example, provided with two magnetic annular bodies 8. The two magnetic annular bodies 8 may be mounted along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke 1 such as to be mutually in the same distance from the center of the first yoke 1 in the axis direction of the first yoke 1. The two magnetic annular bodies 8 may be provided on the outer sides of the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 4 in the axis direction of the first yoke 1.

The spacers 9 may be made from any material selected from non-metallic materials having a satisfactory sliding property. For example, the spacers 9 are composed of DURACON or a PEEK resin and formed in an annular shape. The spacers 9 may be mounted in a freely attachable and detachable manner along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke 1 in the outermost parts at both ends of the axis direction of the first yoke 1.

The first lid 10 is a member optionally mounted in a freely attachable and detachable manner in the opening part in one end part of the axis direction of the first yoke 1. The first lid 10 is formed, for example, in a closed-end tube shape and has an apex part and a side part. When the first lid 10 is mounted, the first lid 10 is arranged such that the apex part abuts against the end face of the opening part on the one end part side of the axis direction of the first yoke 1 and the inner peripheral surface of the side part abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the opening part on the one end part side of the axis direction of the first yoke 1 so that the opening part of the first yoke 1 is closed.

The second lid 11 is a member optionally mounted in a freely attachable and detachable manner in the opening part in the other end part of the axis direction of the first yoke 1. The second lid 11 is formed, for example, in a closed-end tube shape and has an apex part and a side part. When the second lid 11 is mounted, the second lid 11 is arranged such that the apex part abuts against the end face of the opening part on the other end part side of the axis direction of the first yoke 1 and the inner peripheral surface of the side part abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the opening part on the other end part side of the axis direction of the first yoke 1 so that the opening part of the first yoke 1 is closed.

The eddy current flaw detection probe 100 having the above-mentioned configuration includes the second yoke 2 having a hollow-cylindrical or pillar shape and inserted in a freely insertable and extractable manner along the inner peripheral surface of the first yoke 1 formed in a hollow-cylindrical shape. Thus, when the second yoke 2 is arranged in an inserted manner along the inner peripheral surface of the first yoke 1, the magnetic flux density is adjusted to a higher value in the magnetic pipe as an inspection target in comparison with a case of no second yoke 2 inserted. Accordingly, without requiring a design change concerning the sizes of the first permanent magnet 3, the second permanent magnet 4, the first yoke 1, and the like, or the arrangement positions of the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 4, the magnetizing force can be adjusted by inserting or extracting the second yoke 2 into or from the first yoke 1, resulting in changing the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe.

Further, the eddy current flaw detection probe 100 according to the present embodiment may further include magnetic annular bodies 8 having an annular shape and mounted in a freely attachable and detachable manner along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke 1. When the magnetic annular bodies 8 is mounted on the first yoke 1, the magnetic flux generated by the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 4 flows through the magnetic annular bodies 8, resulting in increasing magnetic flux leakage. That is, when the magnetic annular bodies 8 is mounted along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke 1, the magnetic flux density is adjusted to a lower value in the magnetic pipe as an inspection target in comparison with a case of no magnetic annular body 8 mounted. Accordingly, without requiring a design change concerning the sizes of the first permanent magnet 3, the second permanent magnet 4, the first yoke 1, and the like or the arrangement positions of the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 4, the magnetizing force can be adjusted by attachment or detachment of the magnetic annular bodies 8 to or from the first yoke 1, resulting in changing the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field generated by the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 4 is 90% or higher of the maximum magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe in the center part of the sensing coil 6 with respect to the axis direction of the magnetic pipe as an inspection target. For example, in the case of an STB pipe, it is preferable that the magnetic flux density is 1.8 T (tesla) or higher. When the magnetic flux density is lower than 1.8 T, the flaw detection performance may be degraded in flaw inspection of an STB pipe and this situation is not preferable.

In the present invention, the values of magnetic flux density can be obtained by numerical analysis of finite element method by using magnetic field analysis software “Electromagnetic Field Analysis Software JMAG (registered trademark)” (made by JSOL Corporation).

FIG. 3 is a graph showing variation in the magnetic flux density and the specific magnetic permeability of magnetic pipes. In FIG. 3, the curve X1 indicates a change in the magnetic flux density caused by thickness variation in the magnetic pipes as inspection targets. The plot X2 indicates a change in the specific magnetic permeability caused by, thickness variation in the magnetic pipes as inspection targets. As shown in FIG. 3, the magnetic pipes have variation in the magnetic flux density and in the magnetic permeability which is caused by a difference in the manufacturing process or the like.

Since the eddy current flaw detection probe 100 according to the present embodiment has the second yoke 2 and optionally the magnetic annular bodies 8 as a mechanism for changing the magnetic flux density in the magnetic pipe as an inspection target, even for magnetic pipes having mutually different specifications concerning the magnetic permeability or the thickness, the specification of the eddy current flaw detection probe 100 is easily designed to optimize for the specification of the magnetic pipe.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relation between the inner diameter of the second yoke 2 and the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe. In FIG. 4, the curve Y1 indicates a change in the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe caused when the inner diameter of the second yoke 2 is changed.

Under the condition that the lengths in the axis direction of the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 4 are set to be 13 mm, when the second yoke 2 having an inner diameter of 15 mm is inserted along the inner peripheral surface of the first yoke 1, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe is reduced by 10% in comparison with a case of no second yoke 2 inserted. Under the condition that the lengths in the axis direction of the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 4 are set to be 13 mm, when the second yoke 2 having an inner diameter of 20 mm is inserted along the inner peripheral surface of the first yoke 1, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe is reduced by 40% in comparison with a case of no second yoke 2 inserted. Accordingly, the magnetizing force can be adjusted by inserting or extracting the second yoke 2 into or from the first yoke 1, resulting in changing the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relation between the length in the axis direction of magnetic annular bodies 8 and the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe. In FIG. 5, the curve Y2 indicates a change in the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe caused when the length in the axis direction of the magnetic annular bodies 8 is changed.

Under the condition that the lengths in the axis direction of the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 4 are set to be 10 mm, when the pair of magnetic annular bodies 8 having an axis directional length of 5 mm are mounted along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke 1, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe is reduced by 5% in comparison with a case of no magnetic annular body 8 mounted. Further, under the condition that the lengths in the axis direction of the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 4 are set to be 10 mm, when the pair of magnetic annular bodies 8 having an axis directional length of 10 mm are mounted along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke 1, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe is reduced by 6.5% in comparison with a case of no magnetic annular body 8 mounted. Further, under the condition that the lengths in the axis direction of the first permanent magnet 3 and the second permanent magnet 4 are set to be 10 mm, when the pair of magnetic annular bodies 8 having an axis directional length of 20 mm are mounted along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke 1, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe is reduced by 7.8% in comparison with no magnetic annular body 8 mounted. Accordingly, the magnetizing force can be adjusted by attaching or detaching the magnetic annular bodies 8 to or from the first yoke 1, resulting in changing the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pipe.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of an eddy current flaw inspection apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The eddy current flaw inspection apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is used for inspecting flaws in a magnetic pipe 300 composed of a magnetic material. The eddy current flaw inspection apparatus 200 includes the eddy current flaw detection probe 100 according to the present embodiment as well as an AC power supply 201, signal output means 202, and flaw judging means 203.

In the eddy current flaw inspection apparatus 200, the eddy current flaw detection probe 100 moves along the inner peripheral surface of the magnetic pipe 300.

The AC power supply 201 applies an alternating voltage onto the sensing coil 6 of the eddy current flaw detection probe 100. The signal output means 202 outputs a voltage change induced on the sensing coil 6 when the alternating voltage is applied by the AC power supply 201, as a flaw detection signal which is an electric signal composed of an X-directional component signal and a Y-directional component signal. In the present embodiment, an eddy current flaw detector (AV100SE, manufactured by GE Inspection Technologies) is employed as the signal output means 202.

The flaw judging means 203 is a personal computer or the like and receives the flaw detection signal outputted from the signal output means 202 so as to determine the presence of a flaw in the magnetic pipe 300 when the maximum of the X-directional component signal or the maximum of the Y-directional component signal in the flaw detection signal exceeds a threshold set up for each component signal in advance.

By adopting the configuration that the determination result obtained from the flaw judging means 203 is displayed on display means such as a display panel, the operator who operates the eddy current flaw inspection apparatus 200 can recognize the occurrence of a flaw in the magnetic pipe 300. Alternatively, by adopting the configuration that the waveforms of the flaw detection signal outputted from the signal output means 202 are displayed on the display means, the operator may judge by visual determination on the displayed waveforms whether the maximum of the X-directional component signal or the maximum of the Y-directional component signal exceeds the threshold.

The eddy current flaw inspection apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment employs the eddy current flaw detection probe 100 according to the present embodiment. Thus, even for magnetic pipes 300 of mutually different specifications in the magnetic permeability or the thickness, flaw inspection is achieved by using the eddy current flaw detection probe 100 whose specification is optimized for the specification of the magnetic pipe 300. Thus, the eddy current flaw inspection apparatus 200 according to the present invention achieves accurate flaw inspection of the magnetic pipe 300 as an inspection target. 

1. An eddy current flaw detection probe comprising: a first yoke having a hollow-cylindrical shape and composed of a magnetic material; a second yoke having a hollow-cylindrical or pillar shape, composed of a magnetic material, and inserted in a freely insertable and extractable manner along an inner peripheral surface of the first yoke; a first permanent magnet mounted along an outer peripheral surface of one end part of the axis direction of the first yoke and polarized in a radial direction of the first yoke; a second permanent magnet mounted along an outer peripheral surface of the other end part of the axis direction of the first yoke, polarized in a radial direction of the first yoke, and magnetized such that the magnetic poles are different from those of the first permanent magnet; and a sensing coil wound along the outer peripheral surface in a center part of the axis direction of the first yoke and detecting a change in a magnetic flux generated by the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet.
 2. The eddy current flaw detection probe according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic annular body having an annular shape, composed of a magnetic material, and mounted in a freely attachable and detachable manner along the outer peripheral surface of the first yoke.
 3. An eddy current flaw inspection apparatus for inspecting a flaw in a pipe composed of a magnetic material, comprising: the eddy current flaw detection probe according to claim 1 moved along the inner peripheral surface of the pipe; an AC power supply for applying an alternating voltage onto the sensing coil of the eddy current flaw detection probe; signal output means for outputting as an electric signal a voltage change induced on the sensing coil when the alternating voltage is applied by the AC power supply; and flaw judging means for judging the presence or absence of a flaw in the pipe on the basis of the electric signal outputted from the signal output means. 